School of Law

Dean Zelda Harris

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Erin Buzuvis

The School of Law at Western New England University attracts students who are passionate, entrepreneurial, and driven by a desire to right social injustice, fight for equality for all, and preserve the rule of law at home and abroad. Many of our students are the first in their families to pursue a law degree and appreciate our generous scholarship awards. Our students enjoy unparalleled access to externships and clinical experiences in state and federal courts, major law firms, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies. Western New England University School of Law seeks students who are up for the challenge of both rigorous academics and immersive applied learning.

The School of Law offers programs leading to a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Elder Law and Estate Planning.

Juris Doctor (JD)

Western New England University will inspire and support students to become a true student of law and a skilled practitioner. In the JD program, students will learn the science of legal study as a methodology to analyze legal and social issues.

Students will develop the ability to perform careful research and write thorough and precise legal memoranda and scholarly papers. Students will be prepared to artfully articulate persuasive legal arguments and apply them in a professional context through clinics, externships, and moot court experiences. In small classes, students will be taught by full-time faculty who teach all required day and evening courses. Students will graduate prepared to use your law degree to make an impact on your profession and society.

The JD program is structured to prepare students for the practice of law in any American jurisdiction. Students will begin with several required courses that form the foundation for more advanced legal studies. Lawyering Skills is a required first-year course that teaches the basic techniques of legal research, writing, and analysis. While students are not required to pursue a concentration, they may choose to do so to focus their studies on a specific practice area. The experiential learning requirement provides opportunities to gain real-world legal experience. All students are required to complete 20 hours of pro bono legal work prior to graduation. Study options include full-time, part-time day, or part-time evening.

Master of Laws (LLM) in Elder Law and Estate Planning

The only live, interactive, online LLM in Elder Law and Estate Planning in the U.S., our program offers a unique opportunity for students to take their practice in a new direction or strengthen your expertise to advocate for elders and their families. In this 30-credit program, students will gain an extensive knowledge of and training in a number of diverse areas of law, including wills and trusts, estate and fiduciary administration, income taxation, federal wealth transfer taxation, and the use of various entities and products (particularly trusts and insurance products) in wealth planning and management. The program also develops expertise in social security law, Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal and state laws and regulations that directly affect these clients.

The aging of the population provides an unprecedented need for informed advisors who can help individuals and families navigate healthcare legal issues, provide for special needs children, and plan for the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history. According to the Insured Retirement Institute, Baby Boomers will retire at a rate of 10,000 per day through at least 2030, when almost 73 million Americans, comprising more than 20 percent of the U.S. population, will be age 65 or older.

The program teaches the practical aspects of drafting estate plans, administering the settlement of estates, and representing elderly clients and families. In their final project, students will create a complex plan and develop their own set of planning documents. The in-depth knowledge gained from this experience will help students distinguish their practice and help them to inform and educate their clients on a very personal level. Students will receive personalized attention from our stellar faculty who are recognized experts in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Special Needs, including current and past presidents of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the National Elder Law Foundation.

A pioneer in live, online Elder Law and Estate Planning education, Western New England University School of Law is accredited by the ABA. Taught live, not asynchronously, by leading experts, our program’s unique online delivery experience makes the LLM available to busy professionals nationwide who are looking to enhance their skills while studying part-time in just two or more years. Students have attended class from Alaska, Hawaii, while serving in the military in Germany, and while traveling in India. Students can enroll part-time or full-time in the fall or spring; a one-year full-time option is also available.

Law Student Handbook

The Law Student Handbook is the authoritative handbook for Academic Standards and the Honor Code.

University Handbook

Western New England University’s Student Handbook is designed to assist both new and returning students with information pertaining to campus departments and services, resources for daily and emergency use, and policies and regulations. It is designed to reflect the educational mission of the University, with intentional focus on inclusivity and respect for the rights of others. The material in the Handbook is designed to be a resource and guide for students pertaining to the University’s policies and required standards for conduct. Students agree to comply with University policies and conduct standards as enacted by appropriate University officials.